Steve Alexander

Basketball Daily Dose

Dose: Melo Suspension Coming?

Indiana – Danny Granger was awful in Saturday’s debut and it could be another 10 days before he is clicking. Maybe you have the guts to start him with four games this week, but I’m just not ready. Paul George, George Hill, Roy Hibbert (who has really struggled over his last five) and David West, on the other hand, all look like strong plays.

L.A. Lakers – The Lakers only play three times, but Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Steve Nash (who is finally coming on), Earl Clark and Antawn Jamison all look like solid options. Metta World Peace missed all six shots on Sunday and is shooting it poorly, so weigh options carefully before throwing him into your lineup. He’s shooting just 32 percent in his 10 February games. Just keep an eye out for information on Clark’s pinkie, Nash’s back and Howard’s shoulder.

Memphis – The Grizzlies play three times this week, but then go on a run of 3-4-4-4-4 over the next five weeks. I like the idea of adding Tony Allen, but he’s a shaky play with three games. Zach Randolph, Mike Conley and a struggling Marc Gasol all look like good plays, but I wouldn’t risk playing Tayshaun Prince for just three games. See Waiver Wired for more info on Allen’s strong play of late.

Miami – LeBron James and the Heat have just three games this week, but then go 4-4-4-4-3-4 to finish out the season. LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are still must-starts, while Ray Allen, Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers are also worth a look in deeper leagues. LeBron is dealing with a quad injury, but had 28 points on Sunday, so you have to start him.

New York – Carmelo Anthony picked up a Flagrant-1 during Sunday’s game during an altercation with Spencer Hawes, which could land him a one-game suspension. He popped Hawes in the back of the head during the scrum, so watch for more info on Monday. Even if he plays just two games, Melo is still nearly a must-start player, while Tyson Chandler, Amare Stoudemire and J.R. Smith all look like decent plays. Raymond Felton left Sunday’s game with a bruised right heel, but returned to finish, so I think he’s OK to leave in your lineup.

Oklahoma City – The Thunder go three times this week, but Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka all deserve to be in lineups, while Kevin Martin hit 1-of-5 shots for five points on Sunday. Weigh your options before considering him a must-start player. The Thunder’s schedule isn’t great, as they finish 3-4-4-4-3-3-3, which is a fantasy playoffs buzzkill.

Philadelphia – Thaddeus Young was back in action from a hamstring injury on Sunday and had 11 points and 10 boards, making him a must-add player. With four games, Young and Jrue Holiday are must-starts, while Spencer Hawes is close. Nick Young disappeared on Sunday, but I’m not ready to write him off just yet. Dorell Wright is worth keeping an eye on, while Evan Turner should also be worth a play this week. Lavoy Allen is not someone I’d trust in my starting lineup this week.

Washington – A four-game week makes John Wall, Bradley Beal, Nene and Emeka Okafor must-starts, while I would also not be afraid to run Martell Webster out there, as he’s surviving the Beal storm and starting at small forward. Trevor Ariza is also a nice sleeper option after his 18 points and four steals on Saturday. He's playing well off the bench.

Atlanta – Josh Smith blocked just two shots last week, but it could have been much worse. Had he been traded to the Bucks, he would have lost one game and maybe more, and would have also had to learn a new system. Now Smoove will play four games in each of the next six weeks and might lead your team to a championship. Devin Harris is coming on, but is an injury risk, while Kyle Korver may still be worth a start, despite his demotion and his production tailing off in Atlanta. Obviously, Jeff Teague and Al Horford are must-starts.

Brooklyn – Joe Johnson has missed two straight and is iffy for Tuesday with his heel problem, giving owners a tough decision to make in a three-game week. Watch for more info on Monday and start him at your own risk. If he’s out, C.J. Watson should play well in his absence. Gerald Wallace doesn’t look like a great option with just three games, while Brook Lopez and Deron Williams remain must-starts.

Boston – With just two games, owners will have to think hard about whether to start Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jeff Green. I’d bench all the guards, and keep in mind Jordan Crawford failed to score in just 12 minutes on Sunday, which I don’t find all that surprising.

Charlotte – The Cats play three games this week and Byron Mullens is in a funk, hitting just 2-of-21 shots over his last two games. I think he’ll get it turned around this week, and would still lean toward playing him in most situations. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is coming on a bit so keep an eye on him, while Kemba Walker looks like a must-start. Ramon Sessions and Gerald Henderson should also be decent plays.

Chicago – Taj Gibson suffered a knee injury on Sunday night, leaving him iffy for his next game, and possibly means more minutes for Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah. Here is some video of Derrick Rose dunking, and while he might make a surprise return any day now, you simply can’t use him until it happens. And yes, he could also miss the rest of the season. Kirk Hinrich was out again on Sunday with his elbow injury and he’s missed nine of his last 10 games. If he’s out, Nate Robinson should be started, but we simply need more information on Hinrich than we have right now. And with four games, Luol Deng joins Boozer and Noah as must-starts.

Cleveland – Kyrie Irving is dealing with a sore knee and while it doesn’t sound like a big deal, it’s something to definitely keep an eye on. He’s averaging just 14.5 ppg over his last two. Dion Waiters is hot and with three games, owners need to weigh options carefully. Tristan Thompson is another possible fantasy starter on this team.

Denver – Danilo Gallinari is dealing with a thigh bruise that’s limited him for the last couple games and leaves him a little iffy for Monday against the Lakers. My guess is he’ll play, but that’s just a guess. With three games, anyone not named Gallinari, Ty Lawson and Andre Iguodala are shaky plays, although Kenneth Faried should also be in most lineups.

Detroit – Will Bynum has been suspended for a game, turning his four-game week into a three-gamer. Brandon Knight missed Saturday’s game with a knee injury, leaving him iffy for this week. If he’s out, Rodney Stuckey should be an excellent play, especially given Bynum’s suspension. Greg Monroe and Jose Calderon are the only true must-start players on this team, which is simply a fantasy mess.

Golden State – We were high on Jarrett Jack all year, and despite some struggles along the way, he’s on fire right now and is a must-own player. Andrew Bogut might be out indefinitely with a back injury, but Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and David Lee are all must-starts, while Carl Landry is worth a shot given Bogut’s injury. Start the inconsistent Harrison Barnes at your own risk, and enjoy the four-game week for the Warriors, as they have just two more after this one. I’ve pretty much bashed the idea of owning Bogut all season, and while I waivered on that last week, he now looks droppable in most leagues.

Houston – Just as fast as I picked up Thomas Robinson, I have cut him in most leagues. Weekly games played matter in most of my leagues and the Rockets’ schedule stinks. Additionally, he won’t play until he practices and we still don’t have any clue how Kevin McHale plans on using him. Meanwhile, Carlos Delfino has started at PF and played heavy minutes in his last three and I’d rather own him going forward. Just like every week from here on out, with the exception of Week 23, the Rockets play three games. James Harden, Chandler Parsons and Jeremy Lin look like strong plays, while Delfino and Omer Asik are also worth a look.

Indiana – Danny Granger was awful in Saturday’s debut and it could be another 10 days before he is clicking. Maybe you have the guts to start him with four games this week, but I’m just not ready. Paul George, George Hill, Roy Hibbert (who has really struggled over his last five) and David West, on the other hand, all look like strong plays.

L.A. Lakers – The Lakers only play three times, but Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Steve Nash (who is finally coming on), Earl Clark and Antawn Jamison all look like solid options. Metta World Peace missed all six shots on Sunday and is shooting it poorly, so weigh options carefully before throwing him into your lineup. He’s shooting just 32 percent in his 10 February games. Just keep an eye out for information on Clark’s pinkie, Nash’s back and Howard’s shoulder.

Memphis – The Grizzlies play three times this week, but then go on a run of 3-4-4-4-4 over the next five weeks. I like the idea of adding Tony Allen, but he’s a shaky play with three games. Zach Randolph, Mike Conley and a struggling Marc Gasol all look like good plays, but I wouldn’t risk playing Tayshaun Prince for just three games. See Waiver Wired for more info on Allen’s strong play of late.

Miami – LeBron James and the Heat have just three games this week, but then go 4-4-4-4-3-4 to finish out the season. LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are still must-starts, while Ray Allen, Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers are also worth a look in deeper leagues. LeBron is dealing with a quad injury, but had 28 points on Sunday, so you have to start him.

New York – Carmelo Anthony picked up a Flagrant-1 during Sunday’s game during an altercation with Spencer Hawes, which could land him a one-game suspension. He popped Hawes in the back of the head during the scrum, so watch for more info on Monday. Even if he plays just two games, Melo is still nearly a must-start player, while Tyson Chandler, Amare Stoudemire and J.R. Smith all look like decent plays. Raymond Felton left Sunday’s game with a bruised right heel, but returned to finish, so I think he’s OK to leave in your lineup.

Oklahoma City – The Thunder go three times this week, but Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka all deserve to be in lineups, while Kevin Martin hit 1-of-5 shots for five points on Sunday. Weigh your options before considering him a must-start player. The Thunder’s schedule isn’t great, as they finish 3-4-4-4-3-3-3, which is a fantasy playoffs buzzkill.

Philadelphia – Thaddeus Young was back in action from a hamstring injury on Sunday and had 11 points and 10 boards, making him a must-add player. With four games, Young and Jrue Holiday are must-starts, while Spencer Hawes is close. Nick Young disappeared on Sunday, but I’m not ready to write him off just yet. Dorell Wright is worth keeping an eye on, while Evan Turner should also be worth a play this week. Lavoy Allen is not someone I’d trust in my starting lineup this week.

Washington – A four-game week makes John Wall, Bradley Beal, Nene and Emeka Okafor must-starts, while I would also not be afraid to run Martell Webster out there, as he’s surviving the Beal storm and starting at small forward. Trevor Ariza is also a nice sleeper option after his 18 points and four steals on Saturday. He's playing well off the bench.

Steve "Dr. A" Alexander is the senior editor for the NBA for Rotoworld.com and a contributor to NBCSports.com. The 2017-18 NBA season marks (at least) his 16th year of covering fantasy hoops for Rotoworld. Follow him on Twitter - @Docktora.Email :Steve Alexander